Device for dispensing small articles



Aug. 10, 1965 J. D! DOM ENICO ETAL DEVICE FOR DISPENSING SMALL ARTICLES Filed June 17, 1963 INVENTORS. JOSEPH fiz'DOMf/V/CO,

FAA/VA MEZZ/ON;

Ari-34s.

United States Patent 3,19,724 DEVICE FOR DISIENSING SMALL ARTICLES Joseph Di Domenico and Frank Mellion, Providence, R.I.,

assignors to .lo-Dee Corp, Providence, R.I., a corporation of Rhode Island Filed June 17, 1963, Ser. No. 288,297 1 Claim. (Cl. 221257) The present invention relates to a device for dispensing small articles. More particularly, the present invention relates to an article dispensing device wherein articles for dispensing are located in vertical stacked relation and are individually moved to a dispensing position by a pivotally mounted dispensing tray.

The present invention has particular application in the dispensing of small articles that are located in a magazine in vertical stacked relation. The magazine communicates with a dispensing tray that is formed with a horizontally disposed article receiving platform on which the bottommost of the articles rests when the dispensing tray is located in the normal position thereof. In the dispensing operation, the dispensing device embodied herein is adapted to individually move the small articles to a dispensing position for the removal therefrom by the operator of the device. Thus the present invention is designed to individually present each of the articles at a dispensing station by a simple manipulation of the dispensing tray. The dispensing tray is pivotally mounted in the base of the dispensing device, and since the article receiving platform thereof is normally located in a horizontal plane, pivotal movement of the dispensing tray willrotate the platform to an inclined position. An article located on the platform of the tray is then moved in slidable relation on the inclined surface to a dispensing position. In order to prevent the remaining articles in the magazine from falling downwardly in the magazine onto the dispensing tray, an article arresting portion is formed as an integral part of the tray and is moved into communication with the magazine for engagement with the next lowermost of the articles therein when the tray is pivotally moved during the article dispensing operation. The lowermost of the articles is thus effectively moved to the dispensing position on the dispensing tray while the remaining articles within the magazine are arrested therein and prevented from falling downwardly onto the tray. Upon release of the tray, the article arresting portion is moved out of communication with the magazine, and the stack of articles is allowed to fall downwardly, the then lowermost article moving into engagement with the normally horizontally positioned article receiving portion of the tray.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a device for individually dispensing small articles therefrom.

Another object of the invention is to provide an article dispensing device wherein articles to be dispensed are located in vertical stacked relation therein and are moved individually to a dispensing station upon a simple manual manipulation by the operator of the device.

Still another object is to provide an article dispenser wherein each article is individually presented to a dispensing station while the remaining articles are effectively retained in vertical stacked relation within the device.

Still another object is to provide a dispensing device that is constructed of clear plastic material that provides for clear visibility of the articles located in the device, thereby providing an automatic refill indicator and further increasing the ornamental characteristics of the device.

Still another object is to provide a dispensing device for small articles that is simple in construction and economical to manufacture.

. assembly of the dispensing device.

3,198,724 Patented Aug. 10, 1855 Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become obvious as the description thereof proceeds when considered in connection with the accompanying illustrative drawings.

In the drawings which illustrate the best mode presently contemplated by us for carrying out our invention:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of the dispensing device embodied herein, the dispensing position of the dispensing tray being illustrated in phantom;

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the dispensing device illustrated in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 is a vertical sectional view taken along lines 33 in FIG. 2.

Referring now to the drawing, the article dispensing device embodied herein is generally indicated at 10 and includes a base generally indicated at 12, a magazine generally indicated at 14, and a dispensing tray generally indicated at 16. The base 12 is defined primarily by opposed vertically extending plates 18 and 20 that are substantially identical in configuration and that are somewhat bell shaped as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3. The base walls 18 and 20 are formed with central recesses 22 and 24, respectively, therein that define feet 26 and 28, respectively. In order to positively locate the opposed wafls 18 and 20 of the base 12, a plurality of horizontally extending spacer rods or members 30, 32 and 34 are provided. The spacer members 30, 32, 34 are secured to the inner surfaces of the walls 18 and 20 and thereby locate the walls in predetermined spaced-apart relation.

Joined to the uppermost end of the base 12 and extending upwardly in vertical relation with respect thereto is the magazine 14. The magazine 14 is generally oblong in cross sectional configuration and is adapted to receive the articles to be dispensed in stacked relation therein. The magazine 14 is defined by side walls 36 and 38 that may be formed as an integral part of the walls 18 and 20, respectively. Since it is contemplated that all of the material parts of the dispenser 10 be fabricated from plastic materials, the walls 18 and 36 may be formed in a unitary construction, and similarly the walls 20 and 38 may be constructed in one piece in order to simplify the Integrally formed with the side walls 36 are reduced rear walls 40, 42 that are located in spaced-apart position as illustrated in FIG. 2 of the drawing. The spacing of the rear walls 40, 42 is required, since it is contemplated to mold these walls in integral relation with respect to the side walls 36, 38

of the magazine and 18, 20 of the base. Joined to the forward portion of the side walls 36, 38 of the magazine 14 is a front wall 44 that is also joined to the uppermost end of the walls 18 and 20 that defined the base 12. As

1 shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the rear walls 48, 42 project slidable relation therein.

downwardly within the base 12 slightly beyond the lowermost edge of the front wall 44. As will be described hereinafter, the position of the lowermost edge of the front wall 44 is critical in connection with the dispensing operation of the articles located within the magazine 14.

@ directly to the side walls 36, 38, and securing of the front wall 44 to the side walls 36, 38 by an adhesive material would materially increase the cost of asembly of the device. Although not shown, a top cap may also be located at the uppermost end of the magazine 14. How-- ever, it is understood that such a cap is not required or essential in the operation of the dispensing device as illustrated herein.

Mounted for pivotal movement in the base 12 and between the walls 18 and 26 thereof is the dispensing tray 12. The dispensing tray 12 includes opposed walls 46 and 48 that are formed in a substantially identical configuration that is defined by a downwardly extending portion 50, a rearwardly projecting portion 52, and a forwardly projecting portion 54. A horizontally extending pivot pin 56 projects through the downwardly extending portions 50 of the walls 46, 48 and further projects through the adjacent walls 18, of the base 12 for securement thereto. Horizontally extending spacer members 58, 6t) join the spaced walls 46, 48 in spaced-apart relation and cooperate with the pivot pin 56 to properly locate the dispensing tray 16 within the base 12. As shown more clearly in FIGS. 1 and 3, each of the rearwardly extending portions 52 of walls 46, 48 has an arcuately formed edge 62 formed thereon that defines article arresting means when the dispensing tray is moved to the dispensing position thereof, as will hereinafter be described. As further shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, each of the walls 46, 48 of the dispensing tray 16 is recessed at the upper end thereof to define a forward stop 64 and a rear stop 66. Located between the forward and rear stops 64, 66 is an article receiving plate 68 that extends the width of the dispensing tray 16. It will be noted that the plate 68 in the normal position thereof spans the space between the walls 46, 48 and is located directly beneath the lower end of the magazine 14. The plate 68 is further located in a horizontal position when the dispensing tray is-disposed in the normal position thereof, and as shown in FIG. 3, the plate 68 is adapted to be moved to an inclined position when the dispensing tray is pivotally moved during the dispensing operation. In order-to pivotally move the dispensing tray 2. finger plate 78 is provided and is secured to the upper edges of the forward portions 54 and overlies the forward stops 64. It is seen that the'operator of the device may pivotally move the tray 16 to the dispensing positionv by simply depressing the finger plate 70 until it assumes the position illustrated in dotted lines in FIG. 1.

In order to locate the dispensing tray 16 in the normal position thereof as illustrated in full lines in FIG. 1, the coil spring 72 is provided and is locked in position between the horizontally extending spacer member 34 and the bottom surface of the plate 68. A projection 74 is secured to the spacer member 34 intermediate the ends thereof for receiving the lower end of the spring 72 while a downwardly extending projection 76 is secured to the under surface of the plate 68 for receiving the upper end of the spring 72. In order to positively locate the dispensing tray 16 such that the plate 68 is disposed horizontally and directly below the magazine 14, the horizontally extending spacer member 32 is employed as a stop and receives the rear edge of the walls 46, 48 in engagement therewith. For this purpose, grooves 78 are formed in the edges of the walls 46, 48 and are adapted to be received in engagement with the spacer member 32, as shown more clearly in full lines in FIG. 1.

In the normal position of the dispensing tray 16, the arresting portions of the walls 46, 48 defined by the edges 62 are located out ofalignment with respect to thelower open portion of the magazine 14. This is shown more clearly in full lines in FIG. 1. As further shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the articles to be dispensed indicated at 80 are positioned in vertical stacked relation within the magazine 14. In the normal position of the dispensing tray 16, the lowermost of the articles 80 is located in engagement with the plates 68 thereof. The rear stop 66 is located in alignment with the walls 40, 42 such that the 4. with the rear stop 66. When the dispensing tray 16 is moved to the dispensing position thereof, the finger plate is depressed by the operator of the device, causing the dispensing tray to pivot about the axis defined by the pivot pin 56. Since the front wall 44 of the magazine 14 is located in spaced relation with respect to the plate 68, a sufiieient distance to allow movement of an article 80 therebetween, the article 80 is thus shifted upon pivotal movement of the dispensing tray from the position illustrated in FIG. 1 to the position illustrated in FIG. 3. A rather sharply inclined position of the plate 68 in the dispensing position insures that the lowermost of the articles 81} located on the plate 68 will drop to the position illustrated in FIG. 3. In this position, the article 86 to be dispensed engages the outer stop 64 of the dispensing tray which defines the outer limit therefor and enables the operator to easily and quickly remove the article from the dispensing position.

As the dispensing tray 16 is moved from the position illustrated in full lines in FIG. 1 to the position illustrated in dotted lines therein and in FIG. 3, the rearwardly extending portion 52 and the curved peripheral edge 62 of the walls 46, 48 that define arresting means, move into communication with the lower end of the magazine 14 for engagement with the next lowermost of the articles 80. This prevents the next lowermost of the articles 80 from falling downwardly onto the dispensing tray 16 and further properly maintains the remaining articles in their stacked relation. Once the article 89 in the dispensing position has been removed therefrom, the operator releases the dispensing tray 16 and it is forced to the normal position thereof by the spring 76. Since the spacer member 32 defines a stop, the release of the dispensing tray 16 will cause the tray to return to the position as illustrated in full lines in FIG. 1. Each time the dispensing tray is pivotally moved to the position shown in FIG. 3, an article will be dispensed to the dispensing station and may be removed from the dispensing device. The articles 80 may be placed in the magazine 14 from time to time and as the situation demands in order to maintain the magazine in full condition, Since the material from which the dispenser is constructed is a clear plastic, the level of articles within the magazine is clearly seen, and appropriate filling of the magazine may be carried out as required.

Although the spring 72 is shown secured to the underside of the plate 68 and the spacer member 34, it is contemplated that the spring may be located in various positions without departing from the spirit of the invention. It is also contemplated to use other forms of spring members, it only being necessary that the dispensing tray 16 be maintained in the position illustrated in full lines in FIG. 1 by some form of spring device. It is furthermore essential that the spring device as used be biased upon movement of the dispensing tray to the position illustrated in FIG. 3 in order that the dispensing tray will be automatically returned to the dispensing position upon release thereof by the operator.

While there is shown and described herein certain specific structure embodying the invention, it will be manifest to those skilled in the art that various modifications and rearrangements of the parts may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the underlying inventive concept and that the same is not limited-to the particular forms herein shown and described except insofar as indicated by the scope of the appended claim.

What is claimed is:

In'a device for dispensing small oblong articles therefrom, a base defined by opposed walls that are located in spaced-apart, parallel relation, horizontal spacer members extending between said walls and joined thereto for locating them in their spaced-apart position, a

article 80 located on the plate 68 is also in engagement vertically extending magazine for receiving the articles,

to be dispensed therein and including spaced-apart, paralel walls that are formed as integral extensions of the walls of said base, a dispensing tray defined by Walls that are located in spaced-apart, parallel relation and a flat plate that is joined to walls of said tray and that receives the lowermost article in said magazine thereon, the full length of said fiat plate being normally located directly beneath said magazine in a horizontal plane, spacer members joined to the Walls of said tray for cating them in their spaced-apart position, the walls of said tray being located in close, parallel relation to the walls of said base and being shaped so as to be substantially confined Within said base when said tray is in the normal position thereof, one of the spacer members for said tray extending through the walls of said tray and into the Walls of said base for pivotally mounting said tray about a horizontal axis, one of the spacer members for said base being rearwardly displaced with respect to the horizonal 87.13 of said tray, the Walls of said tray being shaped to engage the rearwardly displaced spacer member that defines a rearward stop therefor, another of the spacer members for said base being forwardly displaced with respect to the horizontal axis of said tray, the walls of said tray being shaped to engage the forwardly displaced spacer member that defines a forward stop therefor, said tray walls further including article arresting portions that move beneath the magazine for retaining the articles therein during a dispensing operation, and spring means engaging said tray for retaining said tray in the normal position thereof, wherein said plate is located in a horizontal plane, said tray being pivoted against the action of said spring for moving the plate and an article thereon to a forwardly inclined position, wherein the article slides forwardly for removal from said tray, said article arresting portions being simultaneously moved into communication with the lower end of said magazine for preventing movement of the nextlocated article therein onto said tray.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 544,968 8/95 Dennis 221-266 1,141,781 6/15 Dickson 221-266 1,333,479 3/20 Farmer 221-256 2,239,196 4/41 Lunvik 221-268 2,754,030 7/56 Weber et al. 221-269 3,694,242 6/ 63 Kay et al. 221-273 FOREIGN PATENTS 592,042 7/25 France.

295,309 8/28 Great Britain.

RAPHAEL M. LUPO, Primary Examiner. LOUIS I. DEMBG, Examiner. 

